Challenge

Fatal and serious injury crashes have wide-reaching impacts on people and communities. To better understand the factors contributing to these crashes across Spokane County, the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) was looking to put together a Regional Safety Action Plan (RSAP). The plan needed to serve 14 jurisdictions across both urban and rural areas and operate on a quick timeline.

Solution

The Kittelson team led the RSAP, which documents historic data, trends, predictive risk factors, and causal factors related to fatal and serious injury crashes. We used the Safe System Approach to identify and prioritize innovative, proven safety strategies and countermeasures to prevent crashes. The plan includes a regional safety focus and individual safety chapters tailored to each of the 14 jurisdictions within Spokane County.

The project was developed through close collaboration with a steering committee, agency partners, and the Spokane community. Outreach occurred in two phases. During the first phase, the team shared safety data and gathered input about community safety concerns. During the second phase, the team presented the draft plan and recommendations for improving roadway safety.

Because this plan affects people from diverse backgrounds in both urban and rural areas, it was important for the team to gather as many different perspectives as possible. To do this, we set up listening tables at the Transit Plaza, local libraries, and the Asian Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Festival. We also presented to the Homeless Coalition and produced a podcast episode.

Throughout the process, the team provided updates and presentations to the Transportation Technical Committee, Transportation Advisory Committee, and Board of Directors. Reporting back to the community about how their feedback informed the plan was a key component of the second phase of outreach.